I agree...spirituality and a belief in GOD or a supreme being can be a positive thing. Belief in religion and man made institutions can be a negative or even dangerous thing.
Yes - according to Christianity, people are born with the original sin. Even if you accept Christ, while on this earth you are still in your earthly body and prone to sin. That means people are not perfect, Christian or not, saved or not, we still mess up all the time. The Church just like any group of people are just that ...made up of people like you and me. People, just like you and I, are good sometimes and terrible at other times. All prone to the same sin and emotions. They (people are similar throughout the world - all motivated and tempted by the same things). You and I aren't any different in our human nature regardless of our beliefs or unbelief. You can't base your religion or faith on the actions or promise of others.
I work in a hospital and see sick and sometimes dying people all the time. Tigers eating baby deers. Male lions killing the lion cubs that are not his bloodline. Yes that is gruesome but it is also the natural order of things. Everything must live and die. You can't blame GOD for those things. Those things must happen for the world to exist in balance. If animals had no natural predators, their numbers would become unmanageable and it would wreck havoc on the ecosystem.
I also believe God set up the world and system to work as it does. Do I understand the system in it's entirety. No, sorry. Just the generalities.
I don't agree with you. I think God IS responsible for the Pain and suffering in a sense. He doesn't necessarily cause car accidents or cause pain per se, but does allow bad things to happen. He is considered the master weaver and works all things to his glory. sorry to sound so religious, but I couldn't think of a better way to say it. He doesn't cause it but he does allow it. Just like a parent allows a chiild to fall to teach him how to get up. To not allow a child to fall or fail, will do more harm than good.
I understand what you are saying about it's not fair or right to attribute bad things to God, then why do people always say Prais God for every little thing. I agree with you that it makes no sense but consider this....
Our relationship to God is like that of a parent and child. He is the parent, we are the children. When my 5 year old daughter says, "Daddy, can I have some water?" I say yes you may... Then I give it to her and she says "thank you". I say your welcome.
Now who in the hell would deny his own child water or make her ask for it. Of course I teach her to ask for it, b/c it teaches politeness and manners. I appreciate it that she says thank you for the water b/c it shows that she is appreciative. Would I beat her if she didn't ask or say thanks? No, i would remind her to ask politely and say thank you.
Same goes for when we give thanks to God for meaningless shit. Does it matter to God? Yes I think so. I think he does appreciate hearing it and appreciates our gratitude.
So when I get a good rep watch, I say thanks Big Guy! and when I get a crappy one, then I start a thread complaining about it instead of saying God you suck for sending me a crappy watch. Just kidding, I don't say these things. That would make me crazy right?
when I was younger, I use to think why in the world do people pray about stupid shit like who will win the superbowl? Okay maybe a bad example. But you know what I mean. But as I get older, I understand that God wants to hear our prayers no matter how big or small. it's all important to him, b/c it shows that we depend on him. Just like I appreciate it when my daughter asks me to watch TV or play outside. It creates a need and dependance, a relationship, appreciation, etc. Same with God.
I don't see it that way. God, according to Christianity, does have a plan for mankind and earth. I will defer to others who want to join in to fill in the gaps. Or you can do some reading on your own.
Pec, just giving you my perspective as a believer and nothing more. If anything it may shed some light on why I believe the things I do. This is not intended to sway you in your beliefs but rather to make conversation and share. Thanks for letting me do that.
Chau
